Novorossiya news agency reported earlier on Monday that surprise attacks by Donetsk militias had encircled a Ukrainian army grouping near the settlement of Yelenovka

DONETSK, August 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Army units of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) have entered the settlement of Yelenovka, driving out Ukrainian troops, the republic’s defense ministry reported on Monday.

Self-defense fighters gained control of Yelenovka "as a result of offensive reconnaissance", the republic’s defense ministry said.

“The enemy was driven out from two checkpoints along a highway from Donetsk to this populated area. Three servicemen were taken captive along with three Rapira anti-tank guns with ammunition, a multipurpose light armored personnel carrier with a mounted Zu-23-2 air defense system and GAZ-66 and UAZ-452 vehicles,” the local news agency Novorossiya quoted the DPR’s press office.

ITAR-TASS has no confirmation of this information from other sources so far.

Novorossiya reported earlier on Monday that surprise attacks by Donetsk militias had encircled a Ukrainian army grouping near the settlement of Yelenovka.